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"Longwood police said the city's anti-panhandling ordinance has dramatically cut the number of people walking in traffic to ask for and collect money.On Saturday, 52-year-old Pamela Contreras was arrested by Longwood police after allegedly causing a traffic hazard by panhandling along Church Avenue in the city's historic district.\"In Seminole County, they don't have an ordinance but in Orange County they do,\" said Kyle Gibson, a homeless man who panhandles. Gibson said he's using the money he collects to get his life back together after his landscaping equipment was stolen.Gibson said he goes to unincorporated Seminole County because it's still legal to stand along the roadway and ask for money.\"If you're in the street, it's a danger to everyone in the road,\" Gibson said.Contreras pleaded no contest to violating the city of Longwood's panhandling ordinance. Despite repeated warnings, police said Contreras was standing in the roadway on Church Avenue asking for money around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.Longwood police said the city's law makes it an arrestable offense to obstruct traffic.Top video: Chase-plane video shows rocket attempting to landKevin Tuck, Longwood police officer, said officials came up with the idea 18 months ago, when a panhandler he warned was nearly struck hours later.Contreras was sentenced to two days time served. The $363 court fee was waived and her drivers license was suspended due to her inability to pay the fine.Related: Florida mug shots"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.wesh.com/article/pd-anti-panhandling-law-reducing-number-of-people-in-roadways/4435875>